What's your perspective?

Defining historical fiction

Revising our theories as we read.

Cooking up an "evidence sandwich"

Crafting setting in Historical Fiction

Wow!

9:10 am on 11/12/13

Make a claim

Formatting reminders

Argument essay outline

Rockhurst drug test: Extreme or spot-on?

Use the video source above for the "Writing to Sources" assessment on October 15th and 16th.

Bravery is the first step towards Brilliance...

Twinning at SDMS

Witch "Trials"

To prepare for our field trip today, I thought I'd share one of my favorite witch trial videos... courtesy of Monty Python.



In your journals, write a paragraph to answer the following questions and be sure to use evidence from the video.

1. Describe the tests Sir Bedivere and the townsfolk used to determine whether or not the woman was a witch.

2. Do you think they were reasonable or valid?

3. Believe it or not, Puritans living in New England actually used tests that were almost as absurd as the ones in the video. For example, real witch trials often included tossing a potential witch out into a lake... if she drowned they declared that she wasn't a witch....if she was able to swim to shore, they found her guilty of witchcraft and killed her anyway. What are your thoughts about this type of "justice?"

Using the "breakdown" to make our writing more detailed...

Break it Down!

Breaking down our writable moments to dig for details... Try to think of each memory as a progression of: emotions, actions, thoughts (reflection), dialogue. Charting these details on simultaneous timelines can help turn a simple description into an opportunity for a meaningful memoir. 

Some student samples...

Focusing our writing on small moments...

Formatting for Formal Entries

Now that students are starting to type up their weekly formal entries in google docs, it might be a good idea to review the formatting requirements...

Pause for good reason...

Read "critically!"

Thinking while we read

How do you choose a book to read?

Here are some good examples of using specific details in journal entries. 

How to jazz up you journal entries with style...

Journal entry idea!

Journal checks start next week!

Section A - Monday

Section B -  Friday

Section C - Thursday

Section D - Wednesday 

Section E - Tuesday 

Some reminders....

More great projects!

Well done Indigo Team students! Thanks for letting me share some examples of your excellent work.

"Reading Roots"

What will you find in your literary history?

Afternoons are a great time for homework!

Just ask this happy scholar....

DEADLINE APPROACHING!

Reading Timelines are due:

      tomorrow (Wednesday) for Sections D,E,A & B
      Thursday for Section C

Remember to make arrangements to complete this project on your own
      Arrive early to use the computer lab
     Print out your pictures before leaving school today
     Stop by to pick up construction paper
     

                                    

Ideas for setting up your reading history

Trace your literary ancestry...

The books we read help shape who we are, and who we will one day become. 

What's on your nightstand?

PD Day 1

Here are some examples of Redo/Retake contracts from middle schools around the country:

Example #1
Example #2
Example #3
Example #4
Example #5
Example #6



See anything you like? 




Grading isn't a super fun topic to discuss in June..... but it could be worse.

Here's a treat to thank you for being a fantastic audience:

SDMS gets their RED ON!

On Friday May 24th, SDMS conducted a "RED OUT" to honor those who lost their lives at Plaza Towers Elementary school in Moore, OK. Students wore red, created and sold ribbons, and sponsored a hat day to collect money. The event raised over $550 to support the community affected by the terrible tragedy. 

Arguments...Evidence...Proof

Grab that audience!

A good speech needs a strong opening.... Otherwise the audience won't bother paying attention.

Indigo team hearts Chromebooks!

Today we used the new school Chromebooks to start researching social issue topics for the upcoming speech projects. Don't you just love technology?!?!

We noticed lots of WDM craft elements!

We are writers of "craft" too!

An amazing "flashdraft" from a student in my Section A class. Great job!!